Under Section 78 of the Local Government Act 2001, the provision of premises and facilities in the public library service is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority.
My Department provides capital funding towards the provision and refurbishment of new and existing public libraries. In this regard, in 2008 my Department requested library authorities to provide details of priorities for library development within its area.
In its response, Longford County Council ranked Ballymahon branch library as its main priority, followed by projects at Granard and Edgeworthstown and the provision of a library delivery vehicle.
Grant aid of €900,000 was approved and drawn down in respect of the Ballymahon project with the final payment being made in October, 2011. In addition, my Department provided €80,000 for the purchase and fit out of a library vehicle in 2010. Under the Library Capital Programme 2012, €5 million is fully committed towards previously approved library projects and there are no additional funds available.
